From: owner-klr650-digest@lists.xmission.com (klr650-digest) To: klr650-digest@lists.xmission.com Subject: klr650-digest V2 #81 Reply-To: klr650 Sender: owner-klr650-digest@lists.xmission.com Errors-To: owner-klr650-digest@lists.xmission.com Precedence: bulk klr650-digest Tuesday, March 2 1999 Volume 02 : Number 081 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Tue, 2 Mar 1999 16:42:10 -0500 From: "Brian Schoonveld" Subject: (klr650) universal deficiencies......... - ------> There is a F650 review here for those interested. http://www.best.com/~citybike/content/features/f650.html In the above link'd article, the author laments: - ------->This experience, of course, got me thinking about what could I do to the F650 to improve it. First, I'd send forks and shock to Lindemann's for some stiffer springs and better valving. Second, I'd ditch the 75 lbs. exhaust. Let it breathe, let it bark. Third, I'd uprate both the brakes and the rubber. Fourth, I'd attack some of the plastic bits and make the bike look less like an appliance. Fifth, I'd put some ProTapers on... hey, this getting to be fun............... Sounds familiar ..... springs, forks, exhaust, tires, BRAKES!! To me, yet another reason for a KLR. You'd think there'd be no problems in these areas as a benefit of spending $3000 more for the beamer! Fred, I think you need to expand your parts bins. ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 2 Mar 1999 13:43:43 -0800 From: Tom Myers Subject: Re: (klr650) twin carb's? >........Here's the dumb question of the day - - how is a single piston >engine set-up with twin-carbs? Four-valve head has two intake ports, one for each carb. It's a nice setup with great throttle response, a little expensive, and the two carbs tend to block airflow around the head. The '83-'87 XL Hondas and the XR600s up to '86 had two carbs. It was much nicer on the trails than the singlecarb. Several of the XT Yamahas had the twin setup several years back. The XTs had a funky setup where the little primary carb sucked offa the big carb's float (only one float between the two separate carbs) Tom +------------------------------------+ | CycoActive Products tel (206) 323-2349 | 701 34th Ave fax (206) 325-6016 | Seattle, WA 98122 USA | webpage: http://www.cycoactive.com | e-mail: TomMyers@cycoactive.com +------------------------------------+ ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 2 Mar 1999 16:58:33 -0500 (EST) From: Eric Winslow Subject: Re: (klr650) RE: Mainland...bike advice F650 vs. KLR On Tue, 2 Mar 1999, Kurt Simpson wrote: > > I think the F-650 would be better for two-up...but, having said that, there are a > couple of options I'm working on: > > 1) Tim Bernard sells a quick detach luggage rack with or w/o rear bag...his setup can > be ordered with a small or large backrest. Further, the backrest can be moved so that > is is either flush with the end of the seat or recessed an additional inch. My SO sat > on his bike in Boise and pronounced it a huge improvement. With his highway pegs the That rack sounds intriguing. Do you know of any pictures of it with the backrest? If I do get the KLR I'll probably look to get contact info for Tim Bernard. > 2) Russell will make a day-long seat in the KLR for a pillion and guarantee the > comfort... That sounds like a good possibility, too. Thanks for the info. The $3000 saved by buying the KLR gives plenty of room for doing little customizations to make it just what you need. Eric ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 2 Mar 1999 16:58:48 -0500 (EST) From: Eric Winslow Subject: Re: (klr650) RE: Mainland...bike advice F650 vs. KLR Thanks much for the detailed response. My wife and I are both small (5'6'' and under) so maybe we'd have more room to work with on that seat. Padding that rack somehow might help. Well, thanks for the response. You've given me some good info. Eric ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 02 Mar 1999 14:22:53 PST From: "Paul Christenson" Subject: Re: (klr650) twin carb's? (now NKLR) >Several of the XT Yamahas had the twin setup several years back. The >XTs had a funky setup where the little primary carb sucked offa the >big carb's float (only one float between the two separate carbs) Right.. the YDIS (Yamaha Dual Intake System, I believe). The primary reason I sold my XT550. Mine had a funny habit of dropping power about 30% from time to time; usually at highway speeds. Instant change, like someone flipping a switch. ______________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 2 Mar 1999 17:31:09 -0500 From: "Rob Tayloe" Subject: (klr650) F650 Dakar Winner on BMW ON Cover On the cover of this month's BMW ON magazine is a picture of the F650 that won the Dakar race. With all the discussion of rear racks, load limits, and weight distribution, I was interested to see what appear to be supplemental fuel tanks. These extra fuel tanks are located very low, essentially on either side of the engine. Ride Safely, Rob Tayloe Columbus, Ohio ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 02 Mar 1999 15:32:58 -0700 From: Bogdan Swider Subject: RE: (klr650) luggage rack load limit Vik, I'm not a real physicist but it must be the principle that Greek guy (Archemeides?)espoused when he said he could flip a cheeseburger as big as the world if he had a big enough spatula. Must have something to do with the passenger being closer to the bike's center of gravity & further forward of the rear axle. I'll give you a real life example: My bike & I were hijacked in the deserts of Sonora a few years ago. The ladrones insisted I give them BOTH a ride down this sandy road. When the first guy (the one with the gun) got on it was no big deal, but when the second brute placed himself behind him my front wheel sure felt light and my handling was severely compromised. Bogdan > One thing I didn't understand. Why does a 120-160lbs person not affect > handling, but 100lbs cause trouble? > ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 2 Mar 1999 15:32:11 -0700 From: "Kurt Simpson" Subject: (klr650) Tim's Racks... >> 1) Tim Bernard sells a quick detach luggage rack with or w/o rear bag...his setup can >> be ordered with a small or large backrest. Further, the backrest can be moved so that >> is is either flush with the end of the seat or recessed an additional inch. My SO sat >> on his bike in Boise and pronounced it a huge improvement. With his highway pegs the Tim is going to ship it to me shortly (right Tim?) it was Black Monday for him this week with his accountant...but soon he'll be back to his cheerful self. When I get it, I'll mount it and do some pics and a "First Look" for the list and webpage...a detailed review will follow if Gino has room in DSN. Kurt A12 ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 02 Mar 1999 15:39:45 -0800 From: "jason@ericomotorsports.com" Subject: (klr650) Airbox? Hi, I'm new to list list and got turned on to it by Fred at Arrowhead Motorsports in Moab,Utah. I have a 97 KLR that I'm making a super motard out of.I have a couple of questions. I am not going to use the airbox on it and need to know if anyone knows aof an airfilter (K&N,etc..) that will bolt right to the carb. The second question is what jetting changes will be requiered from this mod? I'm in Denver (high altitude) and am running IDS Supertrapp Muffler.Any help on these issues would be great. Thanks,Jason ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 2 Mar 1999 15:33:42 -0700 From: "Kurt Simpson" Subject: Re: (klr650) twin carb's? (now NKLR) >>Several of the XT Yamahas had the twin setup several years back. The >>XTs had a funky setup where the little primary carb sucked offa the >>big carb's float (only one float between the two separate carbs) > >Right.. the YDIS (Yamaha Dual Intake System, I believe). The primary >reason I sold my XT550. > >Mine had a funny habit of dropping power about 30% from time to time; >usually at highway speeds. Instant change, like someone flipping a >switch. My '84 XT600 had a lot of power but it surged like crazy... Kurt ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 2 Mar 1999 15:42:39 -0700 From: "Fred Hink" Subject: (klr650) KLR Motard We have a new lister in our midst. Welcome Jason the KLR magician. He can change a perfectly good motorcycle into a monster. Jason jason@ericomotorsports.com is finishing up his supermotard conversion of a KLR and should have some photos for us to prove it soon. What say ye Jason?? Fred ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 02 Mar 1999 14:41:14 -0800 From: Christopher J Beasley Subject: (klr650) 88 KLR woes Hey folks! I'm baaaaack! Well, I'm back on the list again anyway. My KLR is still broken. I was putting the head back on again this weekend and noticed that the piston, when it is a bottom dead center, has a hell of a lot of slop in the cylinder. I can see the rings from the top! I can move the piston fore and aft within the cylinder one or two millimeters! Is this normal or do I need a new bore job and piston? Everything looks fine when it's at TDC, it's just at the bottom it's all loose. I think this implies that I have too much taper in the cylinder but the service manual doesn't seem to have specs for this. It looks like this engine uses a steel liner in an aluminum jug. Is this the case? Can I replace the liner and rings and just call it a day? Thanks folks! BTW, is MOAB happening again this year? Cheers! Beez ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 02 Mar 1999 17:05:50 -0600 From: Alan Henderson Subject: Re: (klr650) KLR Spotting >Alan would you be able to post this for me on your webpage for a couple >weeks? File attached of the box I am building for my KLR and its >approximate dimensions. > >Cheers, > >Vik The picture of the box Vik is having made is posted at: http://www.ames.net/al.henderson/box.jpg ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 2 Mar 1999 15:51:24 -0700 From: "Pokluda, Gino F" Subject: RE: (klr650) Tim's Racks... >>When I get it, I'll mount it and do some pics and a "First Look" for the list and webpage...a detailed review will follow if Gino has room in DSN.<< Plenty of room. Starting with the May-June/1999 issue, DSN will be 24 pages instead of the usual 20. gino ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 02 Mar 1999 18:25:20 +0000 From: Jeffrey Doyle Subject: Re: (klr650) Tim's Racks... Kurt, If the new rack/backrest is a bolt on replacement for the existing rack, makes it more roomy and comfortable for passengers, has storage for the tool pack, and is reasonably priced then I think it certainly should be in the DSN. If you or Gino provided pictures of the rack and backrest, any adjustment features, areas of comfort improvement (more space), and order information it would be great. It may be the answer a lot of people who ride more road than dirt have been looking for. I think the KLR is one hell of a machine, but have always expected more in the way of passenger accomodations. Ride on, Jeff ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 2 Mar 1999 15:56:12 -0700 From: "Pokluda, Gino F" Subject: RE: (klr650) F650 Dakar Winner on BMW ON Cover >>On the cover of this month's BMW ON magazine is a picture of the F650 that won the Dakar race.<< I know. My BMW buddies have been rubbing my face in it. The only solace I have is that it is not a BMW and it bears absolutely no resemblance to what they have on the showroom floor and they called it an F650 just to sell their slow moving single. Gino, venting again, Pokluda ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 2 Mar 1999 18:29:17 -0500 From: "Stephen Rivett" Subject: Re: (klr650) KLR Spotting It may be a good idea to have some sort of quick release system that allows you to remove the whole box and put it over your shoulder to bring into hotels (it must hold a lot of stuff to move individually) - -----Original Message----- From: Alan Henderson To: klr650@lists.xmission.com Date: March 2, 1999 6:00 PM Subject: Re: (klr650) KLR Spotting > >>Alan would you be able to post this for me on your webpage for a couple >>weeks? File attached of the box I am building for my KLR and its >>approximate dimensions. >> >>Cheers, >> >>Vik > >The picture of the box Vik is having made is posted at: >http://www.ames.net/al.henderson/box.jpg > > > ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 02 Mar 1999 17:19:14 -0500 From: Bill Haycock Subject: Re: (klr650) Supertrapp Article The URL is: http://www.dualsport.org/page5.html Bill (who thinks everyone in the world MUST know about the Dual Sport Web Page!) "J.P.Zucht" wrote: > Bill Haycock wrote: > > > Just posted an article Gino had written on the Supertrapp IDS Series > > Muffler for the KLR. > > > Can be found at KLR Page, Accessories and ad-ons. > > > Bill > > Hey, Bill, how 'bout a free tip? (and worth everything ya paid fer it) > > When you put a message like this on the list there may be some of us > dummies who forget to bookmark these things...or some newbie who just > stumbled in...how about posting the 'URL' with the message...each time = ? > > cha-ching 2=A2 (Cdn) > > (and BTW, THANKS for the KLR page! I've learned more about my KLR on > this list (and the KLR page and links) in the last few months than in 2 > years of owning it !!!) (Also spending more money on it than I ever > dreamed I might, thanks to all those dang articles!!!) > > phil ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 2 Mar 1999 17:15:22 -0700 From: "Kurt Simpson" Subject: Re: (klr650) Tim's Racks... >If the new rack/backrest is a bolt on replacement for the existing rack, >makes it more roomy and comfortable for passengers, has storage for the >tool pack, and is reasonably priced then I think it certainly should be >in the DSN. It is not a replacement...it is in addition...it uses quick-release clips and can be on/off in seconds..pretty nifty...I'm gently trying to talk Tim into making it with the same sexy black "aircraft" aluminum that the Top of the Line Rack uses...adds a certain cachet... Kurt ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 02 Mar 1999 19:29:29 +0000 From: Jeffrey Doyle Subject: Re: (klr650) Tim's Racks... Kurt, Even chrome or polished aluminum would be OK. If the backrest is tall enough it would provide a nice support to secure a bag to. Jeff ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 2 Mar 1999 17:40:29 -0700 (MST) From: Jeffrey P Moorbeck Subject: Re: (klr650) F650 Dakar Winner on BMW ON Cover On Tue, 2 Mar 1999, Rob Tayloe wrote: > On the cover of this month's BMW ON > magazine is a picture of the F650 that > won the Dakar race. > > With all the discussion of rear racks, > load limits, and weight distribution, > I was interested to see what appear to > be supplemental fuel tanks. These > extra fuel tanks are located very low, > essentially on either side of the engine. > > > Ride Safely, > Rob Tayloe Does anyone know what other mods were made to this bike for the race? I'm assuming it wasn't bone stock. Jeff ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 2 Mar 1999 17:34:22 -0700 From: "Vik Banerjee" Subject: Re: (klr650) luggage rack load limit - NKLR Have a look at the middle pic on this page if you want to see a couple overloaded bikes! http://www.geocities.com/Baja/9832/ Cheers, Vik - -----Original Message----- From: Bogdan Swider To: 'Vik Banerjee' ; Bogdan Swider ; klr650@lists.xmission.com Date: Tuesday, March 02, 1999 3:31 PM Subject: RE: (klr650) luggage rack load limit Vik, I'm not a real physicist but it must be the principle that Greek guy (Archemeides?)espoused when he said he could flip a cheeseburger as big as the world if he had a big enough spatula. Must have something to do with the passenger being closer to the bike's center of gravity & further forward of the rear axle. I'll give you a real life example: My bike & I were hijacked in the deserts of Sonora a few years ago. The ladrones insisted I give them BOTH a ride down this sandy road. When the first guy (the one with the gun) got on it was no big deal, but when the second brute placed himself behind him my front wheel sure felt light and my handling was severely compromised. Bogdan > One thing I didn't understand. Why does a 120-160lbs person not affect > handling, but 100lbs cause trouble? > ------------------------------ End of klr650-digest V2 #81 ***************************